Buying Eggs Without Guilt

I’ve been feeling a little guilty lately – guilty that I haven’t written more blog posts that have an agriculture focus or that tackle some of the issues in food and farming that seem to run rampant these days.

Truth is, I burned myself out a little. For several years, I wrote A LOT about agriculture – and most specifically poultry farming. Not just here on this blog, but on other blogs and websites too. I loved it. I felt good about trying to reach people.

But then I got mentally tired and I needed a break. I felt like I was writing about the same issues over and over again. And sometimes I got frustrated by what I was seeing — essentially very little return (or so it seemed sometimes) for my efforts and others like me. I still was and continue to be very active on social media, but I just scaled back my food-and-farming blog posts.

Once in a while, though, I’m reminded why it’s important I keep doing what I do – and why I remain passionate about writing about food truths.

Rachael Ray gave me that reason this week. I was going through her latest magazine, looking for new recipe ideas when I came across an article on egg labels and what they mean. 

It’s a valid idea for an article. Labels on eggs can be confusing — and there are just so. many. labels.

Cage-free, pasture-raised, certified humane, organic, all natural, conventional … what does it all mean?

To Rachael Ray’s credit, the magazine got it all mostly right, which is more than I can say for some sources. The writer lost me, however, when at the very end of the article he/she indicated that conventional eggs – the eggs that cost the least amount of money – are inexpensive because they are raised with the least humane methods.

The reporter didn’t elaborate beyond that. Just a simple declaration that cheap eggs = inhumane farming. As if to say, ‘Well, of course they do, dear readers. Why shouldn’t you take my words at face value? You need to spend more money to get eggs from happier chickens.’

But it’s not that simple — and it’s certainly not fair that some writer for a national magazine can make that declaration as if it’s true. I wonder if the writer has ever been to any egg farms? What research did he/she do for the article to come up with that conclusion? 

I could go on and (and on!) about egg housing research and explain the intricacies of the different ways to raise hens. I know, though, you don’t necessarily have time for all that. But since you are here, reading this post, I want to share a snippet or four of what I know:

• I’m in a unique position in that I know egg farmers from all over the U.S. who raise their laying hens a variety of humane ways – organic to cage-free to conventional. And variety is good – it means you have a choice currently in the grocery store!
• I also know that the latest research about egg layer housing systems shows there are pros and cons to how laying hens are raised. For example, cage-free may offer more space for birds to roam but it also results in more injuries to the birds, less control of the pecking order – which is a thing – as well as more land and more feed. (Want to read more? Click here.)
• I know that eggs are full of nutrients and protein — and can be a super affordable way to protein on your kitchen table. (Here’s a link to a post I wrote about egg labels and here’s a post on the nutrition of eggs.)
• I know the last thing I want is Rachael Ray’s magazine making me feel guilty for buying the least expensive eggs in the supermarket.

If you read my blog at all, you know I’m all about choice. You want to buy cage-free eggs for $5.99/dozen? Go for it. (But don’t assume the chickens are happier. And please don’t throw shade on those who don’t – or can’t – spend that much on eggs.)

You’d rather buy the cheapest eggs in the grocery case? That’s okay too. Trust me, this is my usual mantra and I don’t feel guilty at all. I know farmers who raise chickens the conventional way and I’m confident it’s done humanely and with the utmost care of the birds.

In a perfect world, writers wouldn’t get to disparage farmers they don’t know and have never visited. In a perfect world, consumers would seek out multiple sources of information to get the actual truth about what happens on egg farms — or any farm, for that matter. In a perfect world, I wouldn’t have to write blog posts like this.

But we do not live in a perfect world. That’s why I hope you will take what I write to heart. I hope you know that it’s coming from a good place — and that with 23 years of working for poultry farmers, I do know a thing or two that a national food writer may not know. Animal activists may call me a shill, but I promise you I wouldn’t work for an organization or a group of people that I felt were doing anything unethical or inhumane. That’s not me. And that’s certainly not the farmers I know. 

I can agree with the Rachael Ray article writer on his/her last sentence – do your research and buy whatever eggs you want or can afford – without guilt. Your family will be getting an excellent source of protein and nutrients and you can feel good about your decision.

I promise.